Gaming Through The End Of The World As We Know It Thread.

Oh my God, it's the third hypothetical question in 30 days, this is getting out of hand!!!!



As for the question: I would probably just read books instead.

 

Just random googling shows products that apparently can shield devices from EMP, but I have no idea if it's BS or not. Example: http://www.disasterstuff.com/store/pc/EMP-Faraday-Bags-c128.htm

In theory you could protect your stuff, but if an EMP event ever happens near you, who's to know that whatever you have is up to the task. I'm sure with enough money you could have a highly shielded area that would stand up to quite a strong EMP. I don't know how well these bags really would work. If they would you could bag up some backup electronics! Ha.

 

Just a bag? Doesn't the EMP hang in the air for a while? Like if you remove the device from the bag it'd fry anyway? I think it's a stupid question but, I might be right

 

EMP = electromagnetic pulse. It's not a gas , but very short EM burst (milliseconds, even microseconds) and that's the only way to make it destroy or at least jam electronic devices, because you need to reach multi-terawatt power levels, and there's no known technology that allows you to transmit such powerful signal even for a few seconds, making a Death Star will be way easier.

But. You say old games will be lost ? Hell no. A lot of people got optical backups. Also there's no way to kill every computer/console/whatever on Earth without wiping every living thing on the planet. Kill every non-tube electronic device in Japan or in half of U.S. Why not? Whole planet ? No way. Also don't forget underground storage facilities and data centers. Disconnected equipment won't be affected there.

 

I thought the electrons hung in the air for a bit, well guess I learn't something there

 

The EMP is the Geek Version of Duck and Cover.

 

yup, learning is what its all about

also, it doesn't need to be a man(or woman, just to be PC) made EMP event, the Sun is capable of creating one or multiple EMPs

 

Yeah it is, but not that powerful. Can cause some communication problems, worst case scenario - dead satellite or two or global navigation systems failure for a minute or two (never happened). ISS won't be affected that much. Health problems is a different story, but sun won't burn your NES, and that's good because it that case last thing you'll be worrying about is your consoles and electronics when ALL planes will fall dealing damage comparable with a few hundred of 50 megaton nukes - there's thousands of passenger and cargo planes in the air, with enough kerosene to fill a small sea.

 

Actually, my point was that an EMP positioned over a land mass like the Northern US or Asia would have quite a big effect because of the Earth's Magnetic Field behaving differently there. It seems a big enough blast would damage equipment throughout the area of a continent. Obviously it's not going to destroy everything and destroy all the old games and consoles. But the vast majority of devices aren't protected. So sure, if just the US or Japan lost its electronics (games) there would be the other to compensate, not to mention PAL territories and people in other areas that imported goods. And best of all emulation and backups of data. You mentioned optical discs, I assume EMP wouldn't bother them but is this known? They are essentially stamped metal or they contain dye in writables. I assume an EMP wouldn't damage them.

But more likely causes to render games unplayable like age are why emulation is an excellent backup.

 

lol *here is a film about fear mongering, pesky commies!*

 

There was a time when I was obsessed about these doomsday scenarios, until I learned that statistically it was more likely I would die from a falling piñata full of bricks than being stranded in a post-EMP blackout.

The biggest problem here is people: you might live out in the sticks and think you'll do alright, but seriously do you think the millions of people living in the cities will stay there and die? what would you do? probably go visit that cousin with a farm that your friend from 2nd grade told you about!. No joke, you are desperate and about to starve, what do you if not try to go to a place where theres food and things that work without power?

And so will the other 10 million people living in NYC or LA, welcome to hell.

So forget about hunting and shit because odds are someone will try to hunt you. Thats what made DayZ very realistic: a lot of fucks would just kill you and take your shit rather than team-up. Thats what happens in real life.

At the end city or the outdoors is the same, what you need is a small bunker full of supplies, and that is both complicated and expensive.

If you live in detroit you could occupy an old depo from a factory and nobody would give 2 shits about it, but anywhere else that is not a blighted nightmare you cant afford a secret hiding place without selling your firstborn.

And then theres the supplies: even with the best planning you will only save enough for a couple years, which may be enough until shit is back to normal, but if it isnt then you are truly fucked.

Overall you will have to spend a lot of money to stay safe.

 

In elementary school a friend and I would create paper+pencil-based "video games" (much imagination required!) so I would probably do that.